A CARE provider in Basingstoke has retained a ‘good’ watchdog rating for one of its facilities.

Willow Tree Lodge, in Kempshott Lane, has been rated as ‘good’ in all five categories by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), keeping the same rating it received in 2016.

The facility helps people with severe to profound learning disabilities and autism.

The unannounced inspection took place on September 11 and 12 this year, with CQC inspectors looking at all aspects of the care provided, including leadership and safety.

The staff were highly praised in the report which read: “Relatives consistently praised the skill and expertise of the staff in relation to their determination to enrich people’s lives and provide opportunities for people to experience the best quality of life.

“People experienced positive caring relationships with staff who consistently treated them with kindness and compassion in their day-to-day care. Relatives consistently told us their loved ones were very happy and settled at the home.

“Staff were friendly, sensitive and discreet when providing care and support to people. They clearly knew people well and treated them with dignity and respect. The staff team were well established at the home which meant people received consistent care.”

Willow Tree Lodge is owned and run by Liaise Loddon, which provides various care services in Basingstoke and beyond.

Cathie Wyatt, director of care at Liaise Loddon, said: “We’re very pleased at the rating that we received, as at the time of the inspection, we were looking for a new manager. We found one shortly afterwards, and we are very happy with the new manager.

"We have had some very positive feedback from everybody.

“We will continue to provide support as long as there is a need for it in Basingstoke.”

The report mentioned that the changeover between the old manager and the current manager was smooth and that in the interim, the area manager and the positive support coordinator managed to keep the same high standard.

All ten services managed by Liaise Loddon are rated as ‘good’ by the CQC, apart from Sansa House in Cliddesden Road, which is rated as ‘outstanding’.

The provider is currently in the process of building another facility in Tadley, due to be finished next year